Line of Duty Suffers Fatal Injury Ahead Of Breeders’ Cup

Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Line of Duty has been euphanised after suffering a serious injury on October 26, according to Bloodhorse.com.

The Galileo colt’s owner, Godolphin, reported as much on Saturday, explaining that the champion racehorse was put down following veterinary advice.

Line of Duty was poised to run the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park in California on November 2, but the unfortunate event leaves him a notable absentee.

“Line of Duty was a brave horse who has traveled the world over,” trainer Charlie Appleby lamented. “As well as his brilliant win at the Breeders’ Cup, he has performed at the highest level throughout his career and will be sorely missed at Moulton Paddocks.”

The 2018 Turf performance saw the colt put up a rally from eighth under William Buick to go ahead by half a length and then stay ahead of Uncle Benny before going past Somelikeithotbrown.

Line of Duty also won the Prix de Conde at two years and came back this year aged three to place in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques le Marois, the Prix du Moulin and the Qatar Prix Dollar.

He was purchased by Godolphin for  400,000 guineas – equivalent to $557,634 – at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2017. The colt made $829,589 in total earnings from his 10 starts and 3-2-3 record.

Line of Duty was 14/1 to win the Cup Mile with Ladbrokes ahead of his untimely passing but Circus Maximus is the favourite at 5/2 with Bet365. Click here to get the best horse racing free bet available to UK customers if you’re interested in placing bets on the upcoming Breeders’ Cup events. The resource is a guide offering tips, enhanced odds and can also land you the best bets on some of the biggest races going on daily.

Meanwhile, Get Stormy is at 9/2 with Skybet while Uni is 5/1 with Ladbrokes. William Hill has 7/1 odds on offer as it relates to Brick and Mortar’s chances and are also offering 9/1 odds on a victory for Iridessa. Space Traveller is 8/1 with Betfair, Bowies Hero is 14/1 with Marathon Bet, Lord Gitters is 20/1 with William Hill and Lucullan is also 20/1 with Betfred.

Santa Anita is having a pretty torrid year as it relates to horse deaths. G Q Covergirl injured both front legs while training on Friday and the five-year-old has also been euphanised upon recommendation from a vet. This marks the 35th fatal injury to take place at the track since last December and it hasn’t helped that the Park made changes to the rules that include the banning of race-day treatments meant to protect horses.

Attendance has dropped significantly since the controversial deaths therein.

“When a horse dies, the California Horse Racing Board should suspend the trainer pending a full investigation,” the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, recommended in a statement. “It won’t bring back the horse, but it might prevent more deaths.”